November 14, 2024

Kiawah Island, SC — The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) presented the electrical industry’s highest honor, the Bernard H. Falk Award, to Annette Clayton, former Chairwoman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Schneider Electric North America. This award, established in 1991, recognizes lifetime achievement in technology, management, marketing, international trade, education, public affairs, and other fields important to advancing electrical manufacturing. Ms. Clayton, who served on NEMA’s Board of Governors from 2016 to 2024, and as Board Chair in 2021 and 2022, received the award at NEMA’s 2024 Annual Meeting.

“Annette’s trailblazing career is one of inspiration and servant leadership. Throughout her career, she has led with vision and has played a pivotal role in accelerating our industry's shift toward a more connected, resilient and sustainable energy future. I am proud to present her with this award reflecting her exceptional contributions to the electroindustry throughout her career and during her tenure leading NEMA’s Board,” said NEMA President and CEO Debra Phillips. 

“I am incredibly proud to receive the Bernard H. Falk Award and to be only the second female to receive this distinction in two decades. It is a remarkable honor, and I look forward to the work NEMA and member companies like Schneider Electric will continue to do to push our industry forward and accelerate our shared goal of creating an all-electric future for our nation,” said former Chairwoman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Schneider Electric North America, Annette Clayton.

Ms. Clayton currently serves as a board member for several public and private companies in the energy and technology sectors. As the former Chairwoman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Schneider Electric North America, she led business strategy for the North America region, representing 30,000 employees and billions in sales in recent years. She joined Schneider Electric group as global supply chain officer in 2011. Prior to her career at Schneider Electric, Ms. Clayton held roles as vice president of global operations at Dell Technologies, Inc., and led the transformation of its global supply chain and fulfillment model. From 1983 to 2006, she worked at General Motors Corporation in senior management roles, including president of Saturn Corporation. In addition to her service at these various companies, Ms. Clayton has been heavily involved with NEMA, holding a senior leadership role as the Chair of the NEMA Board of Governors in 2021 and 2022.